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Category: Agriculture

  • Oxfam advocates empowerment of communities on seeds production

    Seed

    By Felicia Imohimi

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN)An international organisation,  Oxfam, has called for a shift from continuous distribution of free seeds to more sustainable approach that will empower communities to produce their seeds.

    Oxfam Country Director, Mr John Makina, made the call at the Crop Diversity for Food Security Project in West Africa round table with humanitarian actors and stakeholders on Thursday in Abuja.

    Makina said that while seed distribution was often carried out with the best intentions, it had inadvertently caused some market distortions, created dependency among farmers and introduced unsuitable crop varieties.

    The director said the goal of the crop diversity project of ensuring local based production of seeds currently being implemented in Bauchi state and Jigawa ,  was to establish a resilient and self-sufficient seed system in the project regions.

    According to him, by doing so, long-term food security and agricultural sustainability will be ensured.

    “The project aim is to rectify these issues by empowering local farmers and their organisations to produce, test, and disseminate diverse and adaptable seed varieties, fostering a sustainable and resilient agricultural system.

    “In Bauchi and Jigawa , where this project is being implemented, farmers now have access to five new diverse varieties of millet and sorghum.

    “This success is due to the rigorous testing of 10 different varieties in 20 communities’ farmer field school demonstration plots.

    “These achievements highlight  effectiveness of participatory variety selection and underscore the importance of involving farmers directly in the decision-making process,” he said.

    Angarawa Ignatius, Country Representative, International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Nigeria, said the meeting objectives was to learn how humanitarian actors could support development of local seed systems sustainably.

    He further said it was to ascertain how the role of agricultural producers in humanitarian actions related to seeds could be strengthened.

    According to him, the project is to support smallholder farmers, especially in conflict affected areas to produce seeds and ensure sustainable food production.

    NAN reports that the meeting was organised by Oxfam in collaboration with ICRISAT, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), USAID, Food and Agricultural Organisation(FAO), among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FUA/CHOM/CJ/

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

  • FG restates commitment to food security through agribusiness

    FG restates commitment to food security through agribusiness

    Agribusiness

    By Muhammad Nur Tijani

    Kano, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to achieving food security through its agribusiness programmes.

    The National Project Coordinator, Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase One, (ATASP-1), Alhaji Ibrahim Arabi, gave the assurance while addressing trainees of a two-week incubation programme in Kano.

    Arabi explained that the programme was organised by ATASP-1, funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) and supported by Abomax, a firm that provides services in agribusiness and others.

    The coordinator, represented by Adekunle Alege, National Agribusiness Specialist, ATASP-1, said the strategy was to promote the growth of self-reliant small-scale business model among incubators.

    He said that 50 youths from Kano and Jigawa states would be trained in agribusiness incubation along the value chains of rice, cassava and sorghum.

    According to him, the beneficiaries who compromise 30 males and 20 females were selected from zone 3, which compromises Kano and Jigawa states.

    He said that the programme’s core mandate crops included rice, cassava and sorghum, adding that the training was to re-orientate the youth to embrace agriculture.

    The coordinator added that the federal government unveiled the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) to attract private sector investment in agriculture and reduce post-harvest losses.

    He said the beneficiaries would acquire capacity in production and processing as well as to increase their income generation and reduce unemployment in the country.

    According to him , the programme will deliver three mandate value chains of cassava, sorghum and rice across the four zones of Adani-Omor, Bida Badeggi, Kano – Jigawa and Kebbi – Sokoto.

    Arabi explained that the programme was in consonant with President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency on food security.

    The ATASP boss said that food security was the collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

    Also, the Zonal Programme Coordinator, ATASP-1, Auwalu Shehu, said that the youth would undergo two weeks training on becoming entrepreneurs.

    Shehu, represented by the Zonal Gender Specialist, Adamu Isa, said there are endless opportunities in modern agriculture for youths who are committed.

    He appealed to the trainees to make good use of the opportunity, saying it would help them be employers of labour.

    Ms Heather Akanni, Project Manager, ABOMAX Youth in Agribusiness Incubation, said the programme was aimed at contributing to food security through improved and gender friendly technology.

    She said the strategy was to catch youths and get them involved in agriculture with the hope of monitoring and linking them with relevant institutions and organisations in scaling up food production.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event lauded the federal government’s gesture and promised to be more committed to agribusiness.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNT/BEN/FAA

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    Edited Benson Ezugwu/Folasade Adeniran

  • Dogara seeks release of 25% palm oil levy

    Yakubu Dogara

     

     

    Import

    By Felicia Imohimi

    Abuja, June 27, 2024(NAN)Mr Yakubu Dogara, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has appealed to the Federal Government to release the  accumulated 25 per cent palm oil levy.

    Dogara made the appeal at his investiture ceremony as the National Grand Patron of the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) by the association on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that the levy, charged on all import of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) into the country, had accrued since 2001.

    Dogara said the levy was purposely for the funding of smallholder oil palm farmers in the country to produce massively.

    He said 600 million dollars spent annually on palm oil importation was unacceptable

    Dogara said that from 2001 to date, the 25 per cent fund had not been released to the targeted populace.

    “There is 25 per cent palm oil levy charged on all import of CPO into this country; since 2001 though l have been in National Assembly for 16 years, I do not know where the money is.

    “l am sure of the rice and sugar level how it has been deployed over time but the resources from palm oil levy are there; so if we can activate the release of this resources, that is enough for us to start with.

    “The gesture will enable the country to become not only self-sufficient in palm oil production but a net exporter of the product as it was in the 60s when Nigeria was the largest producer and exporter.’’

    The former speaker identified palm oil as having enormous opportunities and potential.

    “Giving the industry the needed  attention and enabling policies will boost the country’s economy and increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by N16 trillion  per year.’’

    Dogara urged President Bola Tinubu-led administration to constitute a presidential intervention committee on oil palm to develop the industry to become second palm oil producing country globally after Indonesia against the present fifth position.

    Speaking on his conferment, Dogara said he accepted the offer based on the fact that millions of Nigerians could be lifted out of poverty by utilising the opportunities provided by the industry.

    He said leadership was all about responsibility, adding that there was nothing too heavy, too hard and too difficult for him especially when it concerned the down trodden masses and people that had no opportunities.

    “These are people that have been classified nationally and internationally as multi-dimensionally poor.

    “We always celebrate our problems; that is why we make them bigger; it is time for us now to fight for the solutions.

    “I like when people sit together and they are talking about solutions rather than the problem, l will always be there.

    “Since the endeavour in NPPAN is to bring people out of poverty, l will try all l can to assist the association and the country to achieve the target of lifting 2.5million households out of poverty,’’ he said.

    Dogara said he would immediately swing into action by initiating discussion with policy makers at the National Assembly.

    Earlier, Amb. Alphonsus Inyang, the President of NPPAN, said the association’s selection of Dogara as national grand patron was based on his political trajectory as a leader that believed in results and solutions.

    Inyang identified Dogara as a goal getter that knows how to negotiate in the corridors of power to get things done accordingly.

    “We have made the right choice by working with him; we want to make the industry a millionaire industry like in Malaysia and Indonesia, create millionaires out of Nigerian households which was achievable for Dogara coming on board.

    “His appointment is going to change the industry to a multi-billion dollars economy.

    “He has made declaration of 2.5million families to be lifted out of poverty; Indonesia has done it with 16 million families using oil palm; so Nigeria can do same with Dogara as our national grand patron.

    “We expect to see in the next five years, 2.5million Nigerian households being lifted out of poverty through the cultivation of just one hectre per family” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FUA/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke OKoronkwo

  • Kastina farmers cry out for help as worms destroy crops

    Worms

    By Zubairu Idris

    Katsina, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Katsina State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on the state government to assist farmers in controlling worms that are destroying crops in their farmlands.

    The AFAN Chairman in Kastina, Alhaji Yau Umar-Gojo-gojo, made the call while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Katsina.

    He said that the appeal had become imperative because whenever the worms invaded farmlands, they ate up stems which made it difficult for the crops to survive.

    Umar-Gojo-gojo said that the problem was much in places like Batarawa, Mani, Daura and Funtua axis.

    He said that the worms mainly attacked newly planted crops like maize, guinea corn and millet.

    The chairman advised farmers affected by such incidents to apply recommended insecticides to kill and prevent the worms from spreading to other places.

    “We have received complaints from some of our members that the worms are seriously destroying their crops.

    “We have visited such affected places and seen how the worms but we advised them to, as a matter of urgency, use recommended chemicals to kill the worms before the government intervenes so as to reduce losses.’’

    He said that the worms appeared due to rainfall seizure in many places in the state for over 10 days.

    “We are hoping that they will disappear as soon as rainfall resumed; we are hopeful for the rainfall any moment from now,” he said.

    Umar-Gojo-gojo urged the state government to assist the farmers in controlling the worms and prevent them from recording pre-harvest losses.

    “We are calling on the government to assist the farmers with chemicals to control these worms.

    “The government can deploy the 722 extension workers to each ward in the state to ensure elimination of such insects in their respective communities.

    “At least, the government has given each extension worker a motorcycles and sprayer for use in his area where necessary.

    “So, the government should also provide them with the chemicals to control the worms,” he advised.

    He expressed fear that the problem could affect agricultural productivity, especially maize, guinea corn and millet if urgent measures were not taken.

    The chairman explained that farms that reported such problems were located in the major areas producing such crops in the state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    ZI/ CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

  • Farmers decry destruction of rice farms by quelea birds in Taraba

    Farmers decry destruction of rice farms by quelea birds in Taraba

    Rice

    By Polycarp Auta

    Jalingo, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Rice farmers in Nahuta – Lalinga community of Karim – Lamido Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba, have decried the destruction of hectares of cultivated farmlands by quelea birds.

    One of the affected farmers, Mr Tanko Andemi, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Jalingo.

    NAN reports that quelea bird is a small, short-tailed weaver with a mottled back and a yellow or reddish bill, eye-ring, and legs.

    The red-billed quelea is mostly found in tropical and subtropical areas with a seasonal semi-arid climate.

    Andemi, who said that the attack by the birds would lead to poor harvests, called for intervention by the federal and state governments, towards ameliorating the situation.

    ”I’m expected to harvest 100 bags of dry season Paddy Rice, but with the invasion of the quelea birds, I may end up harvesting less than 10 bags.

    ”So, we are calling on the government at both federal and state levels to urgently intervene to prevent further losses.

    ”This can be in the aspect of controling the birds which resurface after the dry season, control and provision of inputs to boost production and avert losses of crops in the field,” Andemi said.

    Mr Adamu Kazaure, the Field Officer of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in charge of Adamawa and Taraba states, told NAN that the level of damage caused by the birds had been properly assessed.

    Kazaure explained that a compressive report, including video clips of the destruction on the farmlands, had been forwarded to relevant authorities in the ministry for further action.

    NAN also reports that the presence of quelea birds result in dry thornbush grassland, including the Sahel; and its distribution covers most of sub-Saharan Africa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AZA/DOR
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    Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

  • WOFAN, stakeholders mull agricultural extension, revitalisation bill

     

    Bill

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) and others critical stakeholders in the agriculture sector have resolved to present Agricultural Extension Revitalisation Bill (AERB) to the Senate Committee on Agriculture for consideration.

    Hajia Salamatu Garba, Executive Director, WOFAN, disclosed this at the WOFAN ICON 2 project, supported by the Mastercard Foundation in Abuja.

    Garba said that the bill would sustain food security in Nigeria and also strengthen and prioritise the agricultural extension system.

    She said that if the bill became and act, it would help Nigerians farmers to get things right in the agriculture sector.

    According to her, WOFAN is currently working with 675,000 farmers in 10 states in Nigeria and 1500 extension workers.

    She said extension workers were not properly supported.

    “It is one of the reasons why they are supporting a system that will bring in more extension services,” she said.

    Garba emphasised that once the capacity of retention workers was built, the capacity of farmers would also be positively affected.

    Prof Ikani Emmanuel, the Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Services, Zaria, highlighted the importance of an extension bill.

    According to him, so far, extension delivery service in Nigeria has been unorganised and there is no law backing it.

    He explained that, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, they were able to produce an agricultural extension policy that was passed by the Federal Executive Council.

    “That makes it a policy but to implement or enforce it, we needed to convert it to an act of parliament.

    “And that is why, for six months, we have been working on how to convert the policy into a language that can go to the National Assembly as a draft bill for them to consider and pass so that it can become a law.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng

     

    ODF/MAM/CJ/

     

    Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Chijioke OKoronkwo

     

     

     

     

  • Kwara distributes farm implements, boats, others to boost food security

    Agriculture
    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Wednesday in Ilorin launched the distribution of the fourth phase of agricultural and infrastructural assets under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
    AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, said the fourth phase targets 600,000 beneficiaries across different categories in the state’s 16 local government areas (LGAs).
    He said it was taking another giant step forward towards supporting farmers and vulnerable agro-entrepreneurs with high-value assets such as fishing and passenger boats, hand tillers, grinding machines, among others.
    “This is in addition to the donation of various categories of hospital equipment to support vulnerable communities in health delivery and add to the stock of beneficiaries already recorded.
    “Today’s ceremony, therefore, attests to the commitment of the state government to full implementation of NG-CARES. This is geared towards improving the welfare of the people.
    “The two-legged programme also had at least eleven communities that benefited from the distributed hospital equipment support.
    “They include Alanamu, Atiku-Apata, Lade, Kajola, Kere, Patigi, Isanlu-isin, Araromi, Igbaja, Omoda and Baba Dudu communities,” the governor said.
    AbdulRazaq said not less than two million residents across Kwara have benefitted from the various programmes and interventions under the NG-CARES.
    He said these programmes include FADAMA, Social Cash Transfer, labour intensive public workforce, and social development agency.
    “The State CARES Steering Committee was inaugurated on Dec. 14 2021.
    “NG-CARES, being the first attempt to use the Programme for Result (P for R) approach to deliver goods and services to the most vulnerable in the state, has been very successful as it is making an impact in the lives of the residents since its take-off.
    “This is made possible by the continuous and constant support of the state government to ensure that poor and vulnerable individuals and businesses affected by economic crisis are supported through different initiatives.
    “Our gathering this afternoon is another phase in our continuous efforts to bring ease to the people through multi-faceted interventions.
    “At every stage of our journey so far, our administration has a record of deploying all available resources to make life easy for the people,” the governor added.
    AbdulRazaq urged the beneficiaries of these high-valued assets and equipment to consider these assets as their own and optimise the benefits.
    The Chairman, State Steering Committee for NG-CARES programme, Dr Hauwa Nuru, on her part described the intervention as a beacon of hope.
    She said it was designed and supported by the World Bank to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and complement Gov. AbdulRazaq’s eforts in making life bearable for all the residents.
    “The objectives of NG-CARES programmes for results are clear and very impactful. This intervention will expand access to livelihood support and ensure food security and among other benefits,” Nuru said.
    The State Coordinator for NG-CARES, Ibiyinka Olatunde, in his remarks, appreciated government for taking the bull by the horns by keying into the programme.
    He described it as laudable and highly beneficial to the people of the state.
    “NG-CARES has been delivering goods and services to vulnerable members of our society,” he said.
    Beneficiaries such as Alhaji Ahmed, Ganiyu Adebayo from Alanamu community and Alhaji Sambo Magaji of the Lafiagi Emirate, took turns to eulogise the AbdulRazaq administration for “the kind gesture”.
    “These items (hospital equipment) will go a long way in impacting the lives of our people. The gesture will specifically serve as a model for other states to emulate,” Adebayo said.
    Magaji, who spoke on behalf of FADAMA beneficiaries, said the items provided would assist farmers a lot in their farming activities and thanked the governor for being passionate about their well-being.
    AGF/OIF/OLAL
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    (Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Olawale Alabi)

  • High yield crops: Regional hub for fertiliser launched in Ibadan

    Fertiliser
    By David Adeoye
    Ibadan, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, on Wednesday in Ibadan launched the West Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Hub.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facility was launched at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.

    The hub is to address the challenges that threaten food security and economic stability, low fertiliser use and continuous degrading soils in the West African region.

    Toure-Litse, in her address, noted that the West African region was blessed with vast natural resources and rich agriculture heritage.

    ”But it is faced with unprecedented challenges that threaten its food security and economic stability.

    “Low fertiliser use and continuous degrading soils are factors that were significantly holding back crop yields in the region,” she pointed out.

    The ECOWAS official however said the challenges were posing a direct threat to the livelihood of millions of farmers and the well-being of various communities.

    She noted that West African lands were rich with several resources, stating that “its soils not only nourish our people but also can feed the world”.

    Toure-Litse said low use of fertiliser was due to either its high cost, limited access to quality fertiliser, lack of farmers’ awareness and education on proper fertiliser use.

    “Poor infrastructure for distribution and inadequate government policies are issues hampering the ability of the region to achieve highly agricultural productivity.”

    She said this was why in 2006, having recognised the gravity of the region’s agricultural challenges, its leaders convened the first fertiliser summit in Abuja.

    “Eighteen years has passed and the progress has been slow, yet current estimates placed fertiliser use in our region at around 20 kilogrammes of nutrients per hectare compared to the global average of more than 100 kilogrammes per hectare.

    “This disparity has just called for urgent need for action, as new challenges have emerged compounding the old ones and the urgency of our situation should be addressed.

    “With the support of financial and technical partners, efforts to implement, coordinate and monitor the roadmap that address all these issues have began early in October 2023,” the ECOWAS Commissioner said.

    She further explained that African leaders, under the leadership of the African Union (AU) Commission, convened another summit in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2024 in response to the challenges.

    Toure-Litse said the summit renewed the commitment to increasing productivity, enhanced fertiliser use to improve soil health and encouraged fertiliser use so as to restore degraded soil and boost productivity.

    “And, to better ensure its implementation in West Africa and the Sahel, ECOWAS endorsed the Nairobi declaration after adoption.”

    She said key recommendations of the roadmap include supporting countries in the region to develop their own action plan for fertiliser and soil health, aligning with the local need and opportunities..

    Toure-Litse said the launching of the West African fertiliser and soil health hub was in the context of implementation of the roadmap.

    She said the hub would provide countries in the region the necessary technical support to implement respective action-plan through capacity-building and services provision in the area of fertiliser and soil health.

    “I am optimistic that the hub will be a cornerstone solution for the regional agricultural challenges,” the ECOWAS Commissioner noted, saying it would help in addressing the problem of high cost of fertiliser, limited access to fertiliser and lack of education among farmers.

    She said the roadmap’s significant achievement was made possible through IITA’s technical leadership and the coalition of technical partners, including International Fertiliser Development Centre, African Plant Nutrition Institute, among others.

    Toure-Litse further stated that the hub, along with the roadmap and action plan, would provide a powerful framework to achieving the set goal.

    “I charge all stakeholders to seize the opportunity and build a more sustainable, secured and prosperous future for the region.

    “I urge all the stakeholders, government, financial institutions, technical experts and farmers to work together so that they can turn the tide of food and security in West Africa.”

    She assured all the stakeholders of the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to continuing to play its leadership role to ensure the achievement of secured food security in the region.

    “To ensure the success of the initiative we must integrate the voices and needs of farmers, particularly women and youths, because they are the backbone of our agricultural sector.

    “We must provide them with training on proper fertiliser application techniques and empower them to make informed decisions about soil management,” the ECOWAS Commissioner said.

    In his address, Dr Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director, General Research, IITA, said the hub would provide technical assistance to countries in the region.

    He said this would be on what they can do to increase their fertiliser use and the efficiency of fertiliser.

    Vanlauwe said activities of the hub would have significant impact on food productivity in the region.

    The priorities of the ECOWAS Fertiliser and Soil Health RoadMap for West Africa and Sahel include market information on agricultural inputs and strengthening fertiliser quality control regulations.

    Others are improving fertiliser trade within ECOWAS, increasing local production of fertiliser and expanding agricultural inputs distribution networks.

    Highlights of the event was the signing ceremony of ECOWAS-IITA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the ECOWAS Agriculture Policy (ECOWAP) and West Africa Fertiliser Hub.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    DAK/OLAL
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    (Edited by Olawale Alabi)

     

  • FG set to boost livestock business, strengthen PPP drive

    Livestock

    By Muhammad Nasir

    Sokoto, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has embraced the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative to enhance productive and commercially-viable livestock production, aiming to boost the economy.

    Mr Sanusi Abubakar,  National Coordinator of the L-PRES World Bank Project in Nigeria, made the  assertion during a tour and assessment exercise in Sokoto State on Wednesday.

    L–PRES is a six-year project with a ‘Project Development Objective (PDO)’ to improve livestock productivity, resilience, and commercialization of selected value chains.

    Abubakar stated that the PPP drive aimed  to encourage, boost, and sustain entrepreneurial activities within the livestock sector of agriculture.

    “The Federal Government is committed to the responsive implementation of its plans. This visit is to assess the state’s preparedness in achieving the project’s objectives,” he said.

    He emphasised that the government’s commitment included ensuring an enhanced PPP drive for reliable and profitable utilisation of key drivers and components.

    “Today, we visited the state’s modern abattoir and dairy plant, among other critical facilities.

    ”We learnt about their production capacities through various stages of the process, from start to finish.

    “I assure you that we are determined to strengthen both the quantity and quality of production through sustained intervention,” Abubakar explained.

    He further said that Sokoto state has reached stage two of the positive driver, allowing L-PRES to advance its mission.

    Abubakar highlighted that finance remained  a crucial component of the project and assured that access to funding would be facilitated for those in the business.

    He commended Gov. Ahmed Aliyu for his efforts in repositioning all aspects of agriculture for viability.

    Earlier, Malam Abdullahi Mijinyawa, the State Chairman of the Livestock and Butchers’ Association, extolled the L-PRES intervention in the state.

    He said that more cows, camels, and meat would be produced in larger quantities for both commercial and local consumption, including by-products.

    Mijinyawa added that their members have the capacity to meet public demand, adding, “modern abattoir facilities and installations are available to fast-track production levels.

    “All we need is sustained intervention to enhance the business for economic prosperity in our state and beyond.”  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    BMN/CHOM/BRM

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Bashir Rabe Mani

     

     

     

  • FG urges more investment in animal feed, fodder sector

    FG urges more investment in animal feed, fodder sector
    Investment
    By Doris Esa
    Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has called on stakeholders in the dairy industry to increase  investment and commercialisation of the animal feed and fodder sector.
     Mrs Winnie Lai- Solarin, Director, Animal Husbandry Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,
    made the call during a presentation on the Nigerian dairy industry in Abuja.
    She said that this would ensure a very vibrant, productive and profitable feed and fodder industry.
    Lai- Solarin said that good feed and fodder was essential for the dairy industry.
    She explained that livestock farming which included dairy production remained a sector of interest and strategic to economic diversification and food security.
    Lai- Solarin also said that the dairy industry had significant potential for growth and development, contributing to food security, employment and economic growth.
    “The Nigerian dairy Industry  has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from traditional practices to modernised systems aimed at meeting the growing demand for milk and dairy products.
    ” This sector, which is pivotal to the nation’s agricultural and economic development, has faced numerous challenges including inadequate infrastructure, fluctuating milk yields and limited access to advanced technologies.
    ” Nigeria is the largest market for dairy products in West Africa, with a population of over 200 million people,” she said.
    Lai- Solarin said that the dairy industry had significant potential for growth and development,  contributing to food security, employment and economic growth.
    The director said that the journey in the Nigerian dairy industry was a testament to resilience and gradual transformation.
    She expressed concern that the challenge of limited access to finance and technology for small holder farmers was hindering increased productivity and efficiency in the dairy sector.
    Lai- Solarin said that high cost of feed and inputs had made local production uncompetitive.
    She maintained that there was a growing demand for dairy products driven by population growth, urbanisation and increasing consumer awareness of nutritional benefits.
    Lai- Solarin said that with the combined efforts of government initiatives, private sector investments and international collaborations have sparked significant improvements in dairy production, processing and distribution.
    She further said that with continued support and innovation, the Nigerian dairy industry held the potential to become a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing to food security and employment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    ORD/AMM
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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru